Abundances in Galactic open clusters

Since no systematic effects distorting the relative abundances of the studied elements in these clusters have been found, these difference suggest real differences between clusters with high, elongated orbits and field stars. In particular, this supports the earlier conclusion, based on an analysis of the elements of the Galactic orbits, that some clusters formed as a result of interactions between high-velocity,metal-poor clouds and the interstellar medium of the Galactic thin disk.

On average, clusters with high, elongated orbits and metallicities [Fe/H]<-0.1 display lower relative abundances of the primary {alpha} elements than do field stars. The low [O, Mg/Fe] ratios of these clusters can be understood if the high-velocity clouds that gave rise to them were formed of interstellar material from regions where the star-formation rate and/or the masses of Type II supernovae were lower than near the Galactic plane.

It is also shown that, on average, the relative abundances of the primary {alpha} elements are higher in relatively metal-rich clusters with high, elongated orbits than in field stars. This can be understood if clusters with [Fe/H]>-0.1 formed as a result of interactions between metal-rich clouds with intermediate velocities and the interstellar medium of the Galactic disk; such clouds could form from returning gas in a so-called "Galactic fountain".